Lesson Plan Aid
for Book Punch® - Stone Fox
Grade level 3
Lexile Framework for Reading Measure 550L
Table of Contents
Introduction to Book Punch® ........................................................................................................................ 1
Printables ...................................................................................................................................................... 1
Text-to-Self.................................................................................................................................................... 2
Evidence and Inference ................................................................................................................................ 3
Reading Check.............................................................................................................................................. 4
Curriculum Integration................................................................................................................................... 5
Vocabulary................................................................................................................................................. 5
Character Exploration................................................................................................................................ 5
Group Work and Discussion - Pre-writing ................................................................................................ 6
Additional Writing Prompts ........................................................................................................................ 6
Printable Worksheet Links ............................................................................................................................ 6
Introduction to Book Punch®
Book Punch guides students through the steps of thinking and writing about well-known core literature for
grade levels 3 through 9. Students write paragraphs or essays responding to interactive writing prompts.
The program tutors students to develop ideas and organize their thinking about books they read.
Each program in the Merit Book Punch collection focuses on one book title. Each contains 6-7 writing
prompts, 600 supporting questions and 600 helpful tips to guide students through each step in the writing
process. The program for each book title comprises 3 online interactive units as follows:
•
Text-to-Self: Based on themes from the book, students write paragraphs about their own
experiences.
•
Evidence and Inference: Students write paragraphs or essays that connect details with ideas in
the book to infer a deeper meaning from what they are reading.
•
Reading Check: Students write a paragraph about facts and/or events from the book to ensure
that they have read it.
Together, these units develop students’ reading comprehension and writing skills in complementary ways.
Printables
Each Book Punch title includes 11 printable worksheets, a lesson plan aid, and the Book Punch® Series
Manual with detailed instructions for implementation. The documents can be viewed and printed from My
Learning Center. Self-learners and teachers click the course name; tutors and parents click the Programs
link and then click the Book Punch title.
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Book Punch® – Stone Fox
page 2 of 6
All printables can also be viewed and printed from the links provided on the last page of this document.
Text-to-Self
Text-to-Self writing prompts help to enrich students’ reading experience. Students write paragraphs that
help them relate their own experiences to events that take place in the book. See the topics listed below.
Text-to-Self Topic 1
In the story, Little Willy enters a dogsled race. He hopes to win the prize money in order to save the farm
for himself and his grandfather. Think of a time you were in a competition and how you felt. Remember
what it was like to compete. Write about the experience of being in a competition.
Text-to-Self Topic 2
Both Stone Fox and Little Willy have a dream. Stone Fox’s dream is for his people to return to their
homeland. Little Willy’s dream is to save the farm and his grandfather. Think of a dream that you have.
Write about your dream.
Text-to-Self Topic 3
In the story, Little Willy meets Stone Fox three times. The first time, Stone Fox is cold and unfriendly.
The second time, when he finds Little Willy trying to pet his dogs, Stone Fox hits Little Willy. Stone Fox
appears to be cruel. But at the end of the story, Stone Fox is the one who makes certain Little Willy wins
the race. Write about a person that you thought one way about until that person did something that
changed your mind.
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Book Punch® – Stone Fox
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Evidence and Inference
See the writing prompts below and the accompanying list of questions, the answers to which should be
included in a satisfactory paragraph. Help students determine whether they have recognized (inferred)
the ideas in the book from the details (evidence) given.
Evidence and Inference Topic 1
An unpleasant situation can sometimes lead to an important discovery. In the middle of the book Willy
discovers the reason for Grandfather's illness when he and Searchlight are threatened. Write a
paragraph explaining how Willy discovers the cause of Grandfather's illness.
(This topic is recommended for students who have read through Chapter 4.)
1. Who comes to the farm in the middle of the book?
2. Why has the stranger come to the farm?
3. How does the arrival of the stranger lead Willy to discover the cause of Grandfather's illness?
4. How does Willy's discovery help him to realize the truth about Grandfather's illness?
Evidence and Inference Topic 2
People's behavior is not always consistent. Stone Fox is an important character in the story. Write a
paragraph showing what Stone Fox's actions reveal about him at different times in the story.
(This topic is recommended for students who have read the entire book.)
1. How does Stone Fox act the first two times you meet him?
2. What do Stone Fox's actions in the story tell you about the kind of person he is?
3. How does Stone Fox behave at the end of the race?
4. What can you tell about Stone Fox from his behavior at the end of the race?
Evidence and Inference Topic 3
Sometimes you can get what you want but at a great cost. The race is the climax of the story. Write a
paragraph describing Willy's experiences in the race.
(This topic is recommended for students who have read the entire book.)
1. How does the race start off for Willy?
2. Describe the middle part of the race and the route Willy takes
3. How does Willy feel as he passes the farm during the race? What does he see?
4. How does the race end for Willy? How do you think Willy must feel? Include the reason for his
feelings.
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Book Punch® – Stone Fox
page 4 of 6
Reading Check
The Reading Check unit evaluates students’ paragraphs using a key point check to determine if the
student has read the book. See the Reading Check writing prompt below and the list of questions that
accompany it, the answers to which should be included in a satisfactory paragraph.
Reading Check Topic
In the story, Searchlight helps Willy in many ways. Write a paragrapgh about Searchlight and how she
helps Willy. Remember to be specific and to include examples from the text in your paragraph.
1. Who is Searchlight? What is her relationship to Willy?
2. After the horse dies, what job does Searchlight help Willy do on the farm?
3. How does Searchlight help Willy get to school each day?
4. What does Searchlight do to help Willy get $500 to pay the taxes on the farm?
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Book Punch® – Stone Fox
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Curriculum Integration
See the Book Punch Series Manual. The Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary section and the
Beyond the Program section provide detailed instructions for implementing vocabulary, character and
pre-writing lessons. The Book Punch Series Manual includes printable worksheets for these lessons.
Vocabulary
See the Vocabulary Exploration worksheet in the Book Punch Series Manual. Thematic words from Stone
Fox that can be explored include:
VOCABULARY
determination
forge
DEFINITON
No doubts
Fake
Vocabulary particular to the time and setting of Stone Fox include:
VOCABULARY
amateur
credit
crop
deposit
gully
harvest
hitch
irrigation
legal
palomino
reservation
situation
taxes
tension
DEFINITION
An unskilled person
Balance in an account
Grown food
Give as a pledge
A worn trench
Gathering of crop
An unexpected problem
Water used for growing
Relating to law
A light-colored horse
Land set aside for special use
Combination of conditions
Money for the government
Mental uncertainty
The Word Search Puzzle and Crossword Puzzle worksheets that are included contain many of the words
above. They can be used to reinforce the vocabulary in the book.
Character Exploration
See the Character Exploration worksheet and the Compare and Contrast worksheet in the Book Punch
Series Manual. Here are suggested character exploration prompts for classroom discussion:
Imagine that Little Willy is your friend in real life. Write words and phrases that would help you
describe him to someone who didn't know him. (What does Little Willy look like? What kind of
personality does he have? What does he like to do?)
Compare and contrast Willy with Stone Fox or another character in the book.
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Book Punch® – Stone Fox
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Group Work and Discussion - Pre-writing
See the Brainstorming worksheet in the Book Punch Series Manual. Here is a suggested topic for
classroom discussion:
Little Willy attempts what seems to be an impossible task when he enters the dogsled race. Mr.
Foster tells Little Willy that the race is not for amateurs, and that Little Willie doesn't stand a
chance of winning. Think about what it would take for Little Willy to decide to race against
experienced grown-ups. Write about the character traits and support Little Willy would need to be
able to enter the race.
(This topic is recommended for students who have read through Chapter 6.)
Additional Writing Prompts
See the Independent Follow-up worksheet in the Book Punch Series Manual. Using the context of Stone
Fox, and the Independent Follow-up worksheet, students may continue the writing process after
publishing their paragraphs from Book Punch. Here are two additional topics students can write about:
Little Willy’s grandfather cared for him as he grew up. Grandfather does little things to make Little
Willy comfortable. He teaches him important lessons and plays games with him. Willy has great
love and respect for his grandfather. Think about someone older than you whom you look up to.
Write about what this person does to earn your respect and admiration.
(This topic is recommended for students who have read through Chapter 3.)
In the story, Little Willy tries to run the farm on his own. He digs up the potatoes, chops wood,
and buys supplies for the winter. He does a lot of hard work for a ten-year-old and feels proud of
his work. Think of a time you did something that was difficult, but you knew you had to do it.
Write about how it felt when you were doing it and how it felt once you had finished.
(This topic is recommended for students who have read through Chapter 4.)
Printable Worksheet Links
You must be connected to the Internet to access these links.
Crossword Puzzle - starter
Crossword Puzzle - challenge
Word Search Puzzle
Evidence and Inference Worksheet
See the Book Punch® Series Manual for additional printable worksheets.
copyright © 2008 Merit Software
Merit Software • www.bookpunch.com • 800-753-6488 • 212-675-8567